Miami Central’s 26-game winning streak snapped in heartbreaking loss to Bishop Gorman
Miami Central’s football team had not lost a game since the last time it lined up across from Las Vegas Bishop Gorman.
Two years after that painful, one-point loss on a neutral site in Naples, the Rockets found themselves in another down-to-the-wire duel with the Gaels on their home turf in Las Vegas.
While different, unfortunately for Central, the end result was just as sour.
The Rockets erased four deficits at different points in the game, but were unable to hang on when Gorman running back/tight end and University of Miami commit Elija Lofton scored from a yard out with 24 seconds left to deal Central a deflating 39-35 loss, snapping their 26-game winning streak.
For Central (0-1), which entered the game ranked No. 6 nationally by MaxPreps and the 2023 season looking to make more history for its program, the loss delivered a likely critical hit to its hopes of winning a national championship this season.
The Rockets had one final chance after the ensuing kickoff went out of bounds and gave them good field position at their own 40. But quarterback Antonio Smith was picked off by Devon Rice to seal the win for Gorman (3-0).
Lofton scored three touchdowns overall to lead the Gaels, and caught a 32-yard pass from quarterback Micah Alejado that set up his winning score.
A delayed start due to inclement weather pushed the contest into the wee hours of Saturday morning eastern time and left both sides dealing with wet conditions despite the field turf at Gorman.
It was the third meeting in the past six years between the two national powerhouses. Central beat Bishop Gorman 20-14 in Las Vegas in 2017 before losing 21-20 on a missed extra point in 2021 in Naples.
Smith connected with Khaleal Sterling for an 80-yard touchdown on their first offensive play to tie the game at 7.
After two Gorman touchdowns, the Rockets erased their 21-7 deficit on a 94-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Jayden Ford and a 2-yard touchdown keeper by quarterback JC Evans, who entered on Central’s opening drive of the second half.
After falling behind 27-21, Central answered when Evans made a great throw under pressure into the corner of the end zone to Lawayne McCoy, an FSU commit, who made an even better diving catch for a 13-yard score.
Lofton put Gorman back in front on a 36-yard touchdown pass from Alejado, but the Gaels missed the two-point try.
Ford gave Central a 35-33 lead midway through the fourth when he caught a screen pass from Smith and scored from 14 yards out.
The Rockets had a chance to add to their lead after EJ Marcelin recovered a Gorman fumble on the Gaels’ ensuing drive with 3:50 remaining in the fourth.
Evans connected with Anjuan Coleman on a 40-yard gain to the Gorman 35-yard line on 3rd and 16. But kicker Kristian Hobbs’ 53-yard field goal attempt fell short with 1:31 left, setting up the Gaels for their game-winning drive.
Central will have little time to recover from the defeat as it returns to action Friday at Traz Powell Stadium to face longtime rival and fellow Class 2M state title contender Miami Booker T. Washington.
This story was originally published September 2, 2023 at 9:09 AM.
